Welcome to Storybrooke

The Enchanted Forest

Prince Charming rode through the land on his mighty steed. He came upon the Forest, where Snow White lay in her glass coffin, surrounded by the Seven Dwarves. Leaning against a tree, Liliya watch as the prince hopped off his horse.
"You're too late," Doc said softly.
"No. No! Open it!"
"I'm sorry, she's gone," Grumpy said firmly.
"At least let me say goodbye." The Dwarves looked over at Liliya, causing Charming to see her for the first time. "Please," he begged.
She nodded, "Open it." The Dwarves removed the coffin lid. Charming leaned down and kissed Snow White.

Liliya smiled as a burst of magic erupted. Snow White awoke with a gasp.
"You… you found me."
"Did you ever doubt I would?" Charming asked with a happy smile.
"Truthfully? The glass coffin gave me a pause."
"Well, you never have to worry, I will always find you."
"Do you promise?"

The Royal Wedding

"I do," Charming told the Bishop. Liliya stood in the very back of the room, near the doors. She was smiling faintly as her friends took everlasting vows. Vows, she knew, they would never break. Snow look beautiful like always. She wore a white gown with a featherlike material on the skirt.

The Bishop turned to Snow.
"And do you, Snow White, promise to take this man to be your husband, and love him for all eternity?"
"I do."
"I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife." The audience cheered as the newlyweds kissed.

She felt the magic before the doors opened. Liliya's hand found her sword hilt as the Evil Queen entered the room. The cheering stopped as she strolled towards the newlyweds.
"Sorry, I'm late." She dispelled the guards that rushed towards her with a burst of magic.
"It's the Queen! Run!" Doc cried.

Snow stole Charming's sword, pointing it at the Queen.
"She's not the queen anymore! She's nothing more than an evil witch!"
"No, no, no, don't stoop to her level, there's no need," Charming said, taking the sword from Snow. "You're wasting your time, you've already lost. And I will not let you ruin this wedding."
"Oh, I haven't come to ruin anything. On the contrary, dear, I've come to give you a gift."
"We want nothing from you," Snow hissed.
"But you shall have it. My gift to you is this happy, happy day. For tomorrow, my real work begins. You've made your vows, now I make mine. Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love, will be taken from you. Forever."

The Evil Queen looked at the crowd, a wicked gleam in her eye.
"And out of your suffering will rise my victory. I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do." She turned, walked towards the door.
"Hey!" Charming shouted. She turned and he threw his sword at her. She disappeared in a cloud of smoke, as did the sword.

BOSTON

Henry stared at the drawing of Prince Charming and Snow White holding onto each other. He smiled softly as the woman beside him leaned over to look at the picture. "Is that a good book?" she asked.
"This… it's more than just a book," Henry answered.
"Oh," the woman chuckled as a voice came over the speakers.
"Boston sub-station. Thank you for riding Greyhound."

Getting off the bus, Henry knocked on the window of a taxi. The driver rolled down the window.
"Uh, do you take credit cards?" the little boy asked, holding one up.
"Where to, Chief?" the cabbie asked.

Boston Restaurant

Emma walked into the restaurant, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the short red dress and black heels she was wearing. She smiled when she arrived at a table. The man sitting there, stood, extending his hand.
"Emma," he said, a relieved look appearing on his face.
"Ryan?" she asked. "You look relieved."
"Well, it is the Internet. Pictures can be…"
"Fake. Out-dated. Stolen from the Victoria's Secret catalogue. So…"
"So…" He pulled out her chair for her to sit before taking his seat again. "… tell me something about yourself, Emma."
"Oh… Uh, well, today's my birthday."

That was the truth. It was her birthday.
"And you're spending it with me? What about your friends?"
"Kind of a loner." Also true.
"And.. you don't like your family."
"No family to like."
"Aw. Come on, everyone has family."
"Technically, yeah, but not everyone knows who they are. Ready to run yet?" She was playing it kinda thick, but hey, he was buying it.
"Oh, not a chance. You, Emma, are, by far, the sexiest friendless orphan I have ever met."

She smiled, rather fake, but he couldn't tell.
"Okay! Your turn. No, wait, let me guess." This was the fun part. "Um… you are handsome, charming…"
"Go on," Ryan pressed.
"The kind of guy… and now, stop me if I get this wrong… embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail."
"What?"

His face was confused and growing angry.
"And the worst part of all this is your wife. Your wife loves you so much that she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty? You're on a date."
"Who are you?"
"The chick who put up the rest of the money."
"The bails bondsman," he sighed.
"Bail bondsperson," she corrected.

Ryan flipped the table and ran out of the restaurant. He ran out into the street, to his car. Emma walked calmly after him. Ryan got into his car and started it up, but it went nowhere. He opened the door to discover that his car had been booted. Emma walked up, a smirk playing on her lips.
"You don't have to do this okay? I can pay you, I've got money," he tried.
"No you don't. And if you did, you should give it to your wife and take care of your family."
"What do you know about family, huh?" Emma grabbed his head, slamming it against the steering wheel.
"Nothing."

Emma's Apartment

Emma tiredly walked into her apartment, holding a plastic bag. She kicked off her heels as she closed the door behind her. She sat the bag on the counter, taking out a gourmet cupcake out of it. She put a candle on it, lighting it. "Another banner year…" She closed her eyes and blew out the candle.

She opened her eyes just as the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find a little boy standing in the hallway.
"Uh… can I help you?" she asked.
"Are you Emma Swan?"
"Yeah… who are you?"
"My name's Henry. I'm your son."

Henry slipped under her arm, walking into the apartment.
"Whoa, hey kid! Kid I don't have a son! Where are your parents?" He turned back to her.
"Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption? That was me."
Emma frowned, "Give me a minute."

She quick walked into the bathroom, shutting the door. She gripped tightly to the sink counter, staring at herself in the mirror as she tried to collect herself.
"Hey, do you have any juice?" the boy called. "Oh, wait, never mind, found some." Emma took a deep breath and left the bathroom.

Henry was sitting at her counter, pouring orange juice into a glass.
"You know, we should probably get going."
"Going where?" Emma asked.
"I want you to come home with me."
"Okay, kid, I'm calling the cops." She crossed the room to the landline.
"And I'll tell them you kidnapped me." She paused, the phone in her hand.
"And they'll believe you because I'm your birthmother."

Slowly, she put the phone down, turning back to Henry.
"Yep."
"You're not gonna do that," she said.
"Try me," Henry said.
Emma almost smiled, "You're pretty good, but here's the thing. There's not a lot I'm great at in life, but I have one skill. It's called a "superpower." I can tell when anyone is lying, and you, kid, are."

Emma picked up the phone again.
"Wait!" She paused once more. "Please don't call the cops. Please come home with me."
"Where's home?" Emma asked.
"Storybrooke, Maine."
"Storybrooke? Seriously?" Emma questioned.
Henry nodded, "Mm-hmm."
Emma sighed, "Alrighty, then. Let's get you back to Storybrooke."

The Royal Castle

Snow White stood in a balcony doorway, rubbing her enlarged stomach absentmindedly.
"What's wrong?" Charming asked.
"Nothing," Snow answered softly.
"You're thinking about what the Queen said again, aren't you?" Snow didn't answer and he sighed. "Snow, please… I can't keep having this conversation, you have to let it go. We're about to have a baby!"
"I haven't had a restful night since our wedding."
"That's what she wants, to get in your head! But they're only words. She can't hurt us."

Snow turned, looking at him sternly.
"She poisoned an apple because she thought I was prettier than her. You have no idea of what she's capable." Charming turned pleadingly to Liliya, who was sitting at a desk. Liliya looked at the princess.
"What can we do to ease your mind?"
"Let me talk… to him."

Liliya's eyes went dark as she registered Snow's words. Charming gapped at his wife.
"Him. You don't mean –"
"I do."
"No. No-no-no," Liliya shook her head. "It's too dangerous."
"He's sees the future!"
"There's a reason he's locked up!" Liliya snapped.
"Can you promise me that our child will be safe? Can you guarantee it? Because he can." Liliya shook her head sadly as Charming sighed.
"All right. For our child."

New England Highway

Henry sat beside Emma in her yellow Volkswagens.
"I'm hungry," he told her. "Can we stop somewhere?" Emma shook her head, her eyes never leaving the road.
"This is not a road trip; we're not stopping for snacks."
"Why not?"
"Quit complaining, kid. Remember, I could've put your butt on a bus; I still could."
"You know, I have a name. It's Henry."

He pulled about his book, holding it tightly. Emma glanced at it from the corner of her eyes.
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure you're ready."
"Ready for some fairytales?"
"They're not fairytales. They're true. Every story in this book actually happened."
"Of course they did," Emma rolled her eyes. "Use your superpower. See if I'm lying."

Emma glanced over at him for a moment.
"Just because you believe something doesn't make it true."
"That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone."
"Why is that?" Emma asked.
"Because you're in this book."
"Oh, kid. You've got problems."
"Yup. And you're going to fix them."

Rumplestiltskin's cell

Liliya walked behind Snow and Charming as they followed a guard towards Rumplestiltskin's cell. The Royals were dressed in ridiculous robes, their faces covered in shadows. She wasn't wearing one because it was stupid.
"When we reach the cell," the guard was saying. "Stay out of the light, and whatever you do, do not let him know your name. If he knows your name, he will have power over you." He stopped when he reached the cage. "Rumplestiltskin. Rumplestiltskin! I have a question for you."
"No you don't."

Rumplestiltskin climbed down from the cell bars like a money.
"They do. Snow White and Prince Charming!" He cackled. "You insult me. Step into the light, and take off those ridiculous robes." Liliya crossed her arms as the Royals did as he asked. "Ah, ha-ha-ha… that's much better." Charming looked at the insane man.
"We've come to ask you about the—"
"Yes, yes, I know why you're here! You want to know about the Queen's threat."
"Tell us what you know," Snow demanded.

Liliya jumped slightly as Rumplestiltskin thrust himself against the bars.
"Ohhhh! Tense, aren't we? Fear not: for I can ease your mind! But… it's gonna cost you something in return."
"No," Liliya said, stepping forward. She grabbed Snow's hand. "Come on, Snow, this is a waste of time."
Snow ignored her, "What do you want?"
"Oh… the name of your unborn child?"
"Absolutely not!" Charming snapped.
"Deal!" Snow said simultaneously. "What do you know?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled cheerfully.
"Ah. The Queen has created a powerful curse. And it's coming. Soon you'll all be in a prison, just like me, only worse! Your prison – all of our prisons – will be time. And time will stop. And we will be trapped, someplace horrible, where everything we hold dear, everything we love will be ripped from us while we suffer for all eternity, while the Queen celebrates, victorious at last!... No more happy endings."
"What can we do?"
"We can't do anything!"
"Who can?"

Reaching his hand beyond the bars, Rumple smiled.
"That little thing. Growing inside your bell." Charming drew his sword and slapped Rumplestiltskin's hand with it.
"Next time, I cut it off."
"Tk, tk, tk, tk, tk. The infant is our only hope. Get the child to safety. Get the child to safety and on its…" He closed his eyes in concentration. "… twenty-eighth birthday, and the child will return. The child will find you – and the final battle will begin!"
"Heard enough, we're leaving," Charming snapped.

He led Snow away.
"Hey! No!" Rumplestiltskin screamed after them. "We made a deal! I want her name! We had a deal! I. Need. Her. Name! I want her name!"
"Her?" Charming scoffed. "It's a boy."
"Missy, missy – you know I'm right. Tell me. What's her name?"
"Emma," Snow said with a faint smile. "Her name is Emma."
"Emma," Rumplestilskin repeated as the Royals walked away.

Storybrooke

Emma drove past the town limits and into town. It was raining lightly as she navigated the streets.
"Okay, kid, how about an address?"
"Forty-four, not-telling-you street." Emma stopped the car and got out.
"Look, it's been a long night, and it's almost…" She paused as she looked up at a clock tower. "… eight-fifteen?" Henry out of the car with her.
"That clock hasn't moved my whole life. Time's frozen here."
"Excuse me?"
"The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from the Enchanted Forest here."
"Hang on. The Evil Queen sent a bunch of fairytale characters here?"
"Yeah! And now they're trapped."
"Frozen in time, stuck in Storybrooke, Maine… That's what you're going with?"

The kid was good, she'd give him that.
"It's true!" he exclaimed.
"Then why doesn't everyone just leave?"
"They can't. If they try, bad things happen." Emma turned as someone walked up behind her.

It was a tall man with glasses and coper colored hair. He had a dalmatian with him.
"Henry!" the man exclaimed, seeing the young boy. "What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine, Archie," Henry said, bending down to pet the dog.
"Who's this?" Archie asked, seeing Emma for the first time.
"Just someone trying to give him a ride home," Emma answered sheepishly.
"She's my mom, Archie."
"Oh… I see."
"You know where he lives?" Emma asked.

Archie nodded, "Oh. Yeah, sure, just uh, right up on Mifflin Street; the Mayor's house is the biggest one on the block." Emma's jaw dropped slightly as she looked down at Henry.
"You're the mayor's kid?"
"Uh… maybe."
Archie looked down at the boy, "Hey. Where were you today, Henry, because you missed our session."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I went on a field trip," Henry lied.

Crouching down to get face-to-face with Henry, Archie looked the boy in the eyes.
"Henry, what'd I tell you about lying? Giving in to one's dark side never accomplishes anything."
Emma frowned, "O-kay! Well, I really should be getting him home."
"Yeah. Sure." Archie straightened up. "Well, listen – have a good night, and uh, you be good, Henry."

As he walked away, Emma pursed her lips together.
"So, that's your shrink?"
"I'm not crazy."
"Didn't say that. Just – he doesn't seem cursed to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you."
"He's the one who needs help. Because he doesn't know."

Emma walked around the car, opening the door.
"That he's a fairytale character?" she asked.
"None of them do. They don't remember who they are."
"Convenient. All right. I'll play." She got into the car, pulling the door closed as Henry followed her lead. "Who's he supposed to be?"
"Jiminy Cricket!" Henry answered instantly.
"Right… the lying thing… Thought your nose grew a little bit."
"I'm not Pinocchio!" Henry said gloomily.
"'Course you're not. 'Cause that would be ridiculous." Emma put the car into gear, and they drove off.

The Royal Castle

They sat around the table in a circle, Charming, Snow, Red Riding Hood, Granny, Grumpy, Doc, Geppetto, Pinocchio, several guards, and Jiminy Cricket. Liliya stood in the back, leaning against a pillar as she watched with disinterested eyes. She could care less what they did about the Curse. She was still reeling from the meeting with Rumple. As much as she hated the man, he was still her father and she didn't like seeing him in such conditions.
"I say we fight!" Charming exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table.
"Fighting is a bad idea," Jiminy said. "Giving in to one's dark side never accomplishes anything."

Liliya scoffed at that.
"And how many wars has a clear conscience won?" she asked the cricket.
Charming nodded, "We need to take the Queen out before she can inflict her curse."
"Can we even trust Rumplestiltskin?" Doc asked.
Charming nodded once more, "I've sent my men into the forest. The animals are abuzz with the Queen's plan. This is going to happen unless we do something."
"There's no point," Snow murmured. "The future is written."

Charming looked down at his wife.
"No. I refuse to believe that. Good can't just lose!"
"Maybe it can," Liliya said, her voice gloomy.
"No," Charming disagreed. "Not as long as we have each other. If you believe him about the curse, Liliya, Snow, then you must believe him about the child. She will be the savior."

Her sword as in her hand the moment the doors opened. Liliya knew she was jumpy, but she didn't realize how much.
"What the hell is that?" she questioned, watching as the Blue Fairy and some soldiers entered, carrying a tree trunk.
"Our only hope of saving that child," Blue answered.
"A tree?" Grumpy asked. "Our fate rests on a tree? Let's get back to the fighting thing."
"The tree is enchanted. If fashioned into a vessel, it can ward off any curse. Geppetto, can you build such a thing?" Blue asked.
"Me and my boy. We can do it," Geppetto answered, ruffling Pinocchio's hair.
Blue smiled softly, "This will work. We all must have faith. There is, however, a catch…" The smile dropped from her face. "… The enchantment is indeed powerful, but all power has its limits. And this tree can protect only one."

The Mayor's House

Emma walked Henry up the garden path to the house.
"Please don't take be back there," Henry begged.
"I have to. I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you."
"I don't have parents. I just have a mom, and she's – evil."
"Evil? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?"
"She is. She doesn't love me; she only pretends to."
"Kid, I'm sure that's not true."

They glanced up as the door opened to reveal a woman, an officer and a teenager.
"Henry?" the woman asked, her eyes landing on her son. "Uh! Henry!" She ran out and hugged him tightly. "Are you okay? Where have you been? What happened?"
"I found my real mom!" Henry snapped, yanking out of her arms and up the stairs. The teen followed the boy at a much leisurely pace.

Emma looked at the woman.
"You're Henry's birth mother?" the woman asked.
"Hi." The Sheriff shuffled his feet uncomfortable.
"I'll… just… go check on the lad, make sure he's okay." He went upstairs, leaving the two women alone.
"How'd you like a glass of the best apple cider you ever tasted?"
"Got anything stronger?" Emma asked.

Upstairs, Henry sat on his bed, his feet swinging over the side. The teen sat at his desk, spinning lazily in the chair.
"You know… you're really stupid sometimes, Henry," she finally said.
"Penny, that wasn't nice," the Sheriff astonished.
Penny sighed, "Sorry, Henry."
"It's okay."
He yawned, "You know, Boston's pretty nice, Penny. We should go sometime."
Penny smiled lightly, "Sounds like fun. Time for bed, kid."
Henry nodded, "Night, Penny. Night, Graham."

In the foyer, the woman – Mayor Regina – carried two glasses to Emma. She handed one to her guest, taking a small sip.
"How did he find me?" Emma asked her.
"No idea. When I adopted him, he was only three weeks old. Records were sealed, I was told the birth mother didn't want to have any contact."
"You were told right."
"And the father?" Regina asked.
"There was one."
"Do I need to be worried about him?"
"Nope. Doesn't even know."

Regina smiled at her guest.
"Do I need to be worried about you, Miss Swan?"
"Absolutely not," Emma told her. They looked up as Sheriff Graham walked down the stairs with Penny following behind him.
"Madam Mayor, you can relax. Other than being a tired little boy, Henry's fine."
"Thank you, Sheriff," Regina said. "Goodnight Penny."
"Goodnight, Ms. Mills," Penny said politely before following Graham out the door.

Emma followed Regina into a sitting room.
"I'm sorry he dragged you out of your life," Regina told her as they sat across from each other on two sofas. "I really don't know what's gotten into him."
"Kid's having a rough time. Happens."
"You have to understand," Regan began. "Ever since I became mayor, balancing things has been tricky. You have a job, I assume?"
Emma shrugged, "Uh, I keep busy. Yeah."
"Imagine having another one on top of it. That's being a single mom. So, I push forward. Am I strict? I suppose. But I do it for his own good. I want Henry to excel in life. I don't think that makes me evil, do you?"

Shaking her head, Emma answered, "I'm – I'm sure he's just saying that because of the fairytale thing."
"What fairytale thing?" Regina asked confused. "Oh, you know, his book. How he thinks everyone's a cartoon character from it… like his shrink is Jiminy Cricket."
"I'm sorry, I – I really have no idea what you're talking about."
"You know what, it's none of my business," Emma said standing.
"He's your kid. And I really should be heading back."
"Of course," Regina nodded as her guest turned and quickly left.

Storybrooke Town Limits

Driving out of town, Emma spied Henry's book on the seat next to her.
"Sneaky bastard," she chuckled. Looking back up at the road, she saw a wolf standing there. She gasped and the car spun out of control, crashing into the "Welcome to Storybrooke" sign. Emma's head hit the steering wheel and she fell unconscious.

The Castle

Snow stared out the window as Geppetto and Pinocchio worked on the tree truck. She turned as Charming approached.
"I don't want to do this," she told him.
"It has to be you," Charming said.
"I'm not leaving you," Snow said.
"It's the only way. You'll go in there, and you'll be safe from the curse."
"He said it would be on her twenty-eighth birthday."
"What's twenty-eight years when you have eternal love? I have faith. You will save me, as I did you." He wrapped his arms around her as they kissed. She pulled away with a look of pain. Charming watched her with a frown. "What is it?" he asked.
"The baby. She's coming!"

Liliya sat in a parapet with Grumpy, Sleepy, and two others. Grumpy offered her a canteen, but she declined.
"You know what Charming will do if he smells that on my breath?" she asked with a small grin.
"Ah, screw him," Grumpy said.
"That's Snow's job," she snarked. He laughed before noticing something in the distance.

She followed his gaze, jumping to her feet. Grumpy woke Sleepy.
"Wake up. Wake up! Look!" A dragon flew past them at a breakneck speed, trying to outrace a cloud of purple and green smoke. Liliya started sprinting down the stairs as Grumpy ran a nearby bell. "The curse! It's here!"

Storybrooke Sheriff Department

Emma awoke, lying on a coat. She sat up, seeing a man in the cell next to her, who was softly whistling "Whistle While You Work."
"What are you looking at, sister?" he snapped at her.
"Hey, Leroy!" cried an elderly man, who was repairing a cabinet. "Manners! We have a guest!" Emma looked at the elderly man. "So, you are Henry's mother? How lovely for him to have you back in his life." "Actually, I was just dropping him off."
"Don't blame ya," Leroy said. "They're all brats; who needs 'em?"
"Even me?"

Leroy rolled his eyes as Penny walked into the room, her arms crossed and a fake pout on her face.
"All of 'em," he snarked.
"Well," the elderly man sighed. "I'd give anything for one. My wife and I, we tried for many years, but, uh… it wasn't meant to be."
"Cry me a river," Leroy grunted.

Penny rolled her eyes, sitting at a desk as Graham walked into the room. He unlocked Leroy's cell.
"Leroy! I'm going to let you out; you. Need to behave. Put on a smile, and stay out of trouble." Leroy smiled falsely before quickly leaving the building.

Emma caught Graham's eyes and gestured at the bars around her as she stood.
"Seriously?" "
Regina's drinks; a little stronger than we thought," he said.
"I wasn't drunk; there was a wolf, standing in the middle of the road."
Penny's ears perked up, "A wolf? Really?"
"There was no wolf, Penny," Graham scolded. She frowned at him before going back to her sketching.

She paused when she heard someone calling her name.
"Penny? Graham? Henry's run away," Regina said, barging into the room. "We have too—" Regina stopped short when he saw Emma. "What is she doing here? Do you know where he is?"
"Lady, I haven't seen him since I dropped him at your house, and…" Emma motioned to the prison bars. "… pretty good alibi."
"Yeah, well, he wasn't in his room this morning."
"Did you try his friends?" Emma asked.

Regina looked at Penny.
"She's the only friend Henry has."
"And I've been with Graham since we left last night," Penny said. Graham nodded in agreement.
"Did you check his computer?" Emma questioned. "If he was close to someone, he'd be emailing them."
"And you know this… how?" Regina asked.
"Finding people is what I do. Here's an idea; how 'bout you guys let me out, and I'll help you find him."

Mayor's House

Upstairs, Emma and Graham pored over a computer screen. Regina stood nearby, watching carefully.
"Smart kid," Emma whistled. "Cleared his inbox. I'm smart too, a little hard disk recovery utility I like to use."
Graham shrugged, "I'm a bit more old-fashioned in my techniques. Pounding the pavement, knocking on doors… that sort of thing."
"You're on a salary; I get paid for delivery. Pounding pavement is not a luxury that I get. Ah, there's a receipt for a website, – it's expensive. He has a credit card?"
Regina scoffed, "He's ten."
"Well, he used one. Let's pull up a transaction record… Mary Margaret Blanchard, who's Mary Margaret Blanchard?"
"Henry's teacher," Regina said bitterly.

Storybrooke Elementary School

Mary Margaret smiled at her class as she held a bird on her finger.
"As we build our birdhouses, remember what you're making is a home. Not a cage. A bird is free, and will do what it will. This is for them, not us. They're loyal creatures…" She opened the down and released the bird, who flew up to a birdhouse. "… if you love them, and they love you, they will always find you."

She looked up as a bell rang and her class clambered to their feet. "We'll pick this up after recess. No running!" A little girl offered her a pear and she smiled. "Why, thank you!" Regina stormed into the room, startling Mary Margaret.
"Ms. Mills, what are you doing here?"
"Where's my son?" Regina thundered.
"Henry… I assumed he was home with you."
"You think I'd be here if he was? Did you give him your credit card so he could find her?"

Regina gestured towards Emma, who was standing just inside the doorway.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Mary Margaret asked.
"I'm – I'm his –"
"The woman who gave him up for adoption," Regina hissed.
"You don't know anything about this, do you?" Emma asked.
"No, unfortunately not."

Mary Margaret walked over to her purse, searching for her wallet.
She sighed, "Clever boy. I should have never given him that book."
"What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?" Regina demanded.
"Just some old stories I gave him. As you well know, Henry is a special boy: so smart, so creative, and as you might be aware, lonely. He needed it. He can't spend all his time with Penny."

With a snarl, Regina marched out of the room.
"What he needs is a dose of reality. This is a waste of time. Have a nice trip back to Boston." She knocked over a stack of books on her way out. Emma quickly helped Mary Margaret pick them up.
"Sorry to bother you," Emma said softly.
"No, it's – it's okay, I fear this is partially my fault."
"How's a book supposed to help?" Emma asked confused.
"What do you think stories are for? These stories? The classics? There's a reason we all know them. They're a way for us to deal with our world. A world that doesn't always make sense. See, Henry hasn't had the easiest life."

She lead Emma out of the classroom and down the hall. "
Yeah, she's kind of a hard-ass," Emma remarked.
Mary Margaret shook her head, "No, it's more than her. He's like any adopted child. He wrestles with the most basic question they all inevitably face: why would anyone give me away?" She paused, her face draining of color. "I am so sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean in any way to judge you…"
"It's okay," Emma reassured.
"Look," Mary Margaret said with a sigh. "I gave the book to him because I wanted Henry to have the most important thing anyone can have; hope. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing. Take Penny. She lost her belief a long, long time ago."

Emma frowned, "Everyone always says take Penny or he can't only hang around Penny. What's wrong with Penny?" Mary Margaret smiled sadly.
"I'm afraid I can't say."
"You both know where he is, don't you?"
"You might want to check his castle. Only a special few are allowed to go there."

The Castle

Snow screamed in pain as Charming held her with Doc waiting nearby. The Queen's forces rode through the forest toward them.
"Ahhh!" Snow screamed. "Help! I can't have this baby now." Liliya was pacing beside the bed.
"Doc!" Charming exclaimed. "Do something." He looked down at his wife. "It's gonna be okay. The wardrobe's almost finished, just – just hold on." Liliya looked at the couple, her gaze intense.
"I've got to do something."

Charming watched as she rushed out of the room before looking down at Snow.
"It's ready," Geppetto said, entering the room.
"It's ready," Charming murmured very softly. He started to pick up Snow.
"It's too late," Doc said, shaking his head. "We can't move her."

Snow stared down at her baby with tired eyes. The tiny infant girl was covered in a blanket with "Emma" embroidered on it. Charming kissed Snow's forehead.
"The wardrobe," she said groggily. "It only takes one."

The couple shared a look as a blast outside the door sounded.
"Then our plan has failed," Charming said.
"No," Snow disagreed. "You have to take her. Take the baby to the wardrobe."
Charming's brow furled, "Are you out of your mind?"
"It's the only way, you have to send her through."
"No, no n-n-n-no. You don't know what you're saying."
"No, I do. We have to believe that she'll come back for us. We have to give her the best chance." Charming stood, gathering his sword. Snow kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Goodbye, Emma." Charming took the baby from her, rushing away.

Charming ran through the castle, cutting down two of the Queen's soldiers, hurting his shoulder in the process. He looked down at his daughter worriedly, calming when he saw not a single scratch on her. Kicking open the door to Geppetto's workshop, the man set Emma down inside the wardrobe. He gave her one last kiss on the forehead.
"Find us."

Closing the wardrobe, he spun around as two soldiers ran at him. One wounded him in the abdomen, and he collapsed. The soldier opened the wardrobe and Charming saw no sign of Emma before losing consciousness.

Henry's Castle

Henry sat on his wooden playground castle while Emma walked up behind him with his storybook.
"You left this in my car," she said, handing the book back to him. She glanced at the clock tower. "Still hasn't moved, huh?"
Henry shrugged, "I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here. That the final battle will begin." Emma frowned at him.
"I'm not fighting any battles, kid."
"Yes, you are," Henry argued. "You're here because it's your destiny. You're going to bring back the happy endings."
"Can you cut it with the book crap?" Emma snapped.
"You don't have to be hostile. I know you like me," Henry snapped back. "You're just… pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay; I know why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance."

Emma paused, "How do you know that?" Henry let out a breath.
"The same reason Snow White gave you away." Emma sighed, shaking her head.
"Listen to me, kid. I'm not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though. I wanted you to have your best chance. But it's not with me. C'mon, let's go."

The young boy shook his head furiously. His eyes panicked.
"Please don't take me back there! Just stay with me for one week, that's all I ask! One week, and you'll see I'm not crazy."
"I have to get it back to your mom."
"You don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!"
"Oh, you wanna know what sucking is? Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway; my parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital!" Emma began to break down. "I ended up in a foster system and I had a family until I was three, but then they had their own kid, so they sent me back…"

Emma slowed, collecting herself.
"Your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard. And I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you. But at least she wants you."
"Your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway; that's just where you came through!" Henry told her.
"What?"
"The wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe, you appeared on the side of the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse."
"Sure they were. C'mon, Henry." He took her hand and they walked off.

The Castle

Snow slowly made her away to Geppetto's workshop, where her fallen prince lay.
"No. No. No!" She sat on the ground, cradling Charming's head in her lap. "Please. Please come back to me." She kissed him and nothing happened. She tried again with the same result.

The Queen appeared in the room, smiling darkly.
"Oh, don't worry, dear. In a few moments you won't remember you knew him, let alone loved him." Snow looked up at her.
"Why did you do this?"
"Because this is my happy ending."

Two soldiers entered the room and the Queen turned to address them. "
The child?"
"Gone," a guard answered. "It was in the wardrobe; and then it was gone. It's nowhere to be found." With a snarl, she turned to Snow.
"Where is she?" Snow smiled softly.
"She got away. You're going to lose. I know that now. Good will always win."
"We'll see about that."

The ceiling cracked and the air began to darken and swirl as she laughed evilly. Soon, they found themselves in the middle of a vortex of dark magic.
"Where are we going?" Snow asked.
"Somewhere horrible," the Queen answered. A window shattered and the Curse flooded inside the room."Absolutely horrible. A place where the only happy ending will be mine." The shards of glass from the window were suspended in midair and the Curse smoke covered everything.

The Mayor's House

Regina opened the door to find Emma escorting Henry home. Henry ran inside and she sighed.
"Thank you," she said to Emma.
"No problem," Emma shrugged. "He seemed to have taken quite a shine to you."
Emma laughed, "You know it seems kinda crazy. Yesterday was my birthday. And – when I blew out the candle on this cupcake I bought myself, I actually made a wish. That I didn't have to be alone on my birthday. And then Henry showed up…"
Regina interrupted, "I hope there's no misunderstanding here."
"I'm sorry?" Emma asked startled.

She frowned at Regina in confusion.
"Don't mistake all of this as an invitation back into his life."
"Oh…"
"Miss Swan, you made a decision ten years ago. And in the last decade, while you've been – well, who knows what you've been doing – I've changed every diaper, soothed every fever, endured every tantrum. You may have given birth to him, but he is my son."
"I was no –"
"No. You don't get to speak – you don't get to do anything. You gave up that right when you tossed him away. Do you know what a closed adoption is? It's what you asked for. You have no legal right to Henry, and you're gonna be held to that. So I suggest you get in your car, and you leave this town. Because if you don't, I will destroy you if it is the last thing I do. Goodbye, Miss Swan."

Emma spoke, causing Regina to stop.
"Do you love him." Regina spun around.
"Excuse me?"
"Henry. Do you love him?"
"Of course I love him." The mayor shut the door, leaving Emma visibly troubled. Regina walked up to Henry's room, quietly taking his book away from him. She opened it and stood at a mirror, staring at the picture of the Evil Queen.

Granny's Bed and Breakfast

Emma walked into Granny's Bed and Breakfast, where two women were arguing.
"You're out all night, and now you're going out again," the elderly lady snapped.
"I should've moved to Boston!" the younger one said.
"I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your away down the Eastern Seaboard!"
"'Scuse me?" Emma said hesitantly. "I'd… like a room."

The elderly woman looked at her, eyes wide.
"Really?" Emma nodded and the woman, who Emma assumed was Granny, fetched a ledger.
"Would you like a forest view or a square view? Normally, there's an upgrade fee for the square, but the rent is due, I'll wave it."
"Square is fine," Emma said.
"Now. What's the name?" Granny asked, writing something down.
"Swan. Emma Swan."
"Emma… what a lovely name."

Emma spun around to see a man standing behind her. Penny was with him, standing just in the doorway.
"Hey Ruby," she said softly.
"Hello, Miss Swan."
"Thank you," Emma told the man. "Hey, Penny." Granny removed a roll of cash from a drawer, handing it to the man.
"It's all here." He accepted it without counting.
"Yes, yes, of course it is, dear. Thank you." He smiled at Emma. "Enjoy your stay, Emma." He exited, with Penny following.

Ruby went to the curtains, watching Penny walk down the street.
"Who was that?" Emma asked. "And why was Penny with him?"
"He's Penny's father, has certain visitation rights," Ruby said. "And he's Mr. Gold. He owns the place."
"The Inn?"
"No," Granny said, shaking her head. "The town. So! How long will you be with us?"
"A week. Just a week," Emma said.
"Great!" She handed Emma an old-fashioned key. "Welcome to Storybrooke."

At the clock tower, slowly, the old gears started up. In Henry's bedroom, he stared out his window at the clock tower. The clocked turned to 8:16. He grinned at the sight. She had stayed. Now, to figure out a way to break the curse.